does apple announce upgrades to their computers beforehand?

[rich2k4]

or do they just do it randomly, and you have to find out for yourself?

[thegoldenmackid]

There are predictable dates between Apple's history and Intel Processor Releases, but no. We can make predictions accurately, but no where near 100 percent to the timing of most updates, although the Mac Mini and Mac Pro have often eluded predictions going longer then expected to be updated.

[Chundles]

Randomly. Nobody outside a few high-ups at Apple know anything new is coming.

[rich2k4]

see, thats what i don't like about apple.

i'm waiting till snow leopard is released before i buy my imac, but i'm also waiting for the rumored price drop/bump that is supposed to happen sometime in september as well.

it would suck to wait and realize that price drop won't be happening. Or you wait, think it's not going to happen, so you buy. then 2 weeks later, they get a processor speed bump and a price drop. I would be pissed about that.

[iLog.Genius]

see, thats what i don't like about apple.

i'm waiting till snow leopard is released before i buy my imac, but i'm also waiting for the rumored price drop/bump that is supposed to happen sometime in september as well.

it would suck to wait and realize that price drop won't be happening. Or you wait, think it's not going to happen, so you buy. then 2 weeks later, they get a processor speed bump and a price drop. I would be pissed about that.

I'm not getting at you in a rude way but there should be no reason for Apple to say anything. Sure other companies come out and say they're going to do a price drop because this and this but doesn't mean that all companies have to play that way. Sure money is a huge factor in any purchase but if you need a laptop for whatever then just go out and buy one without feeling you could've saved a few hundred. I think people get too caught up in thinking higher specs means a better computer which is totally false. Don't worry about a processor getting upgraded, that will usually have no affect on the computer you were going to purchase. If it was near a keynote, fine be cautious but Apple already lowered their prices a bit and did a pretty big update (given the circumstances) so you'd be waiting a long time for the next update. The only thing to really look out for is Snow Leopard which we all know is coming in a few months and since that even got a huge price drop compared to leopard, there really is no reason to wait in getting it.

Shortly after WWDC, there were a bunch of users who were pissed because they redid the 13" MacBook Pro and were complaining that it wasn't fair. If you could find it, it makes a really good read.

[MTI]

On his vacations to Hanalei, Steve used to just call me up and spill the beans . . .

[Cboss]

does Apple announce upgrades to their computers beforehand?

haha, you're funny... wait, you're serious?

No, they rarely announce anything before they absolutely have to, and sometimes not even then... :cool:

[eawmp1]

see, thats what i don't like about apple.

i'm waiting till snow leopard is released before i buy my imac, but i'm also waiting for the rumored price drop/bump that is supposed to happen sometime in september as well.

it would suck to wait and realize that price drop won't be happening. Or you wait, think it's not going to happen, so you buy. then 2 weeks later, they get a processor speed bump and a price drop. I would be pissed about that.


As been said A BILLION TIMES, if you need a computer now, buy it. There will always be a newer/faster/higher capacity version in the near future. WHy the heck would a company say "This is our next great move"?!? First, you tip off your competition. Second, you won't be able to clear stock if everyone knows that in X weeks, the product will be updated.

Apple product cycles are somewhat predictable. Buy when you buy...be happy with it...and don't feel like a loser when in 365 days you have last year's model!!!!

[old-wiz]

Apple employees who spill the beans about upgrades tend to disappear; their spouses vanish, their children vanish, and they no longer exist.

[Tallest Skil]

see, thats what i don't like about apple.

I apologize on Apple's behalf that they want to actually sell the computers they currently have.:confused:

rumored price drop/bump that is supposed to happen sometime in september as well.

What nonsense rumor is this? A processor change can't happen in September unless it's Clarksfield, which comes out in either September or October, is quad-core, drops a gigahertz from the clock speed (making any computer with it actually slower than the current dual-core Penryns), and is more expensive than current Penryn chips.

then 2 weeks later, they get a processor speed bump and a price drop. I would be pissed about that.

Fortunately, Apple has a 30 day price matching policy and a 14 day return policy (that they will often break). There is no reason for anyone to be complaining.

[AlexisV]

As been said A BILLION TIMES, if you need a computer now, buy it. There will always be a newer/faster/higher capacity version in the near future.

Not necessarily. In the future, yes, but not always in the near future. Don't just buy an Apple because you need it - at least look at when it was last refreshed.

[ADent]

Apple announces most of their upgrades.

For example Steve will say - look at the new MacPro. blah blah blah. Available for ordering now (ie in 30 min when the Apple Store comes back online) and shipping next Tuesday.

[Cave Man]

or do they just do it randomly, and you have to find out for yourself?

No, they announce them in advance. Sometimes by minutes. ;)

[Cheffy Dave]

see, thats what i don't like about apple.

i'm waiting till snow leopard is released before i buy my imac, but i'm also waiting for the rumored price drop/bump that is supposed to happen sometime in september as well.

it would suck to wait and realize that price drop won't be happening. Or you wait, think it's not going to happen, so you buy. then 2 weeks later, they get a processor speed bump and a price drop. I would be pissed about that.

:rolleyes: Welcome to the world of :apple:

[randy98mtu]

The product cycle tracking on MacRumors is all I'd go by. And I even broke down and bought and iMac without looking at it last March. They updated it 3 days later. Fortunately, Apple has great customer service and swapped it out with no restocking fee or anything.

As others say, if you NEED a new computer today, buy it today if you think it will suit your needs and is affordable. If you can wait, see what comes in September. But if you wait and nothing comes, now do you buy or wait until January? It could never end. So just buy when you are ready to buy and hope that if something is coming, it comes in a couple weeks and the store will be cool with you.